New law grants teaching rights to foreigners

The Federation Council, the upper
chamber of Russia’s parliament, has passed amended legislation granting
the right to teach without additional permission to foreigners who enter
the country on assorted regular travel visas.

“Foreign citizens
invited to Russia for business or humanitarian purposes, or to work
here, may be involved in teaching at scientific organisations and
state-accredited universities, with the exception of professional
religious education institutions,” the Itar-Tass news agency quoted from
the ruling. Foreigners complying with the new norms will not be
required to obtain special work permits.

The move accompanies a
softening of migration legislation and is aimed at people “who want to
live in Russia, respect Russia and seek additional opportunities”, said
Vladimir Pligin, co-author of the bill and chairman of a parliamentary
committee on constitutional legislation.